Rivaldo may still have a future at AC Milan after vice-president Adriano Galliani revealed he has asked the Brazilian to stay on at the San Siro.

Rivaldo may still have a future at AC Milan after vice-president Adriano Galliani revealed he has asked the Brazilian to stay on at the San Siro.

The World Cup winner, linked with Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Chelsea in recent days, was believed to have had his contract with the European champions terminated by mutual consent on Friday.

But, with the paperwork not yet completed, Galliani is hoping to convince the former World Player of the Year to reconsider his decision.

Galliani took the chance to speak to Rivaldo during yesterday's Serie A home match against Lecce which the Brazilian had attended as a final farewell.

"I have spoken to Rivaldo and I am trying to convince him to remain in Milan at least until December," he said. "The annulment of Rivaldo's contract has not been completed yet.

"And Rivaldo said he would think about it and we will talk tomorrow."

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said he would also welcome Rivaldo back into his squad despite using the Brazilian only sparingly since his free transfer from Barcelona last summer.

Last season Rivaldo played just 22 league games and was only a fringe player as Milan won the Champions League.

"We would gladly have him back and there is a possibility, but that is up to the player," Ancelotti said.

Since the divorce between Rivaldo and Milan was announced there have been a number of clubs linked with the playmaker's signature. England - and Chelsea in particular - looked to have been his preferred destination, but comments made by the player yesterday suggest his heart still belongs to Milan.

"I've come here to say goodbye to my team-mates," he said on the club's official website.

"I must admit that I'm very attached to this team. I've always dreamt of playing in the great Milan side. I just regret being unable to show who the real Rivaldo is but it is time for me to look ahead.

"I also want to say goodbye to all the supporters who have always backed me. I've continued to receive their messages also in the last few days." Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson, meanwhile, is playing it cool over rumours that he could try to bring Rivaldo to Tyneside.

The 31-year-old joined Barcelona when Robson was technical director with the Catalan giants, but the former England manager - a known admirer of the former Deportivo La Coru?a player - has insisted he was not even aware that the player could be leaving Milan.

He said: "I was not aware of his situation.

"He is a fine player, but at the moment I'm more concerned with dealing with the players I have already at this club than thinking about those who are not."

Meanwhile, the Magpies' manager has insisted he has seen the shoots of recovery in his side despite the agonising defeat at Arsenal on Friday night.

Jermaine Jenas' foolish hand-ball in the closing moments gave Arsenal a decisive penalty and robbed United of a morale-boosting point against the Gunners.

But, while Robson admitted he was concerned about hs side's League position, he believes the display against the Gunners has shown his side are starting to click again.

He explained: "We have come back and equalised twice at Arsenal, we have shown great fighting spirit and self-belief to do that.